A groundbreaking study has uncovered the earliest known example of bioluminescence, the captivating natural phenomenon where living organisms emit light. Researchers have traced the origins of this mesmerizing ability to the soft, branching octocorals that graced the oceans a staggering 540 million years ago. This discovery revolutionizes our understanding of life’s early evolution and the intricate relationship between light and marine creatures.
Gary Vidal, a Conservative Member of Parliament, has announced that he will not be seeking re-election due to the party’s decision to not hold an open nomination in the newly created Battlefords-Lloydminster-Meadow Lake riding. The riding boundaries have changed significantly, and Vidal will no longer reside within the electoral district he currently serves. Vidal expressed disappointment that an open nomination would not be held, stating that it was not the outcome he had anticipated. A party spokeswoman confirmed that Vidal had been offered the opportunity to run in his current riding, which has been redrawn but still includes most of his current constituents. Vidal’s decision follows his announcement earlier this year that he was stepping down as the Tories’ critic for Indigenous services in Parliament.
The Saskatchewan Science Centre is marking its 35-year milestone with a week-long celebration called ‘Discovery Week.’ The event will feature a wide range of activities, including demonstrations, exhibits, and the showing of the first movie ever played in the IMAX theater. The center has welcomed over 5 million visitors since its opening in 1989, including 20,000 school children on field trips.
On Saturday morning at approximately 4:30 a.m., a curious raccoon found its way into an electrical substation in St. Paul, causing a power outage that affected 1,600 customers in and around downtown. Xcel Energy crews responded swiftly and were able to restore power within the hour.
Ten Gary students were honored at the 5th annual Gary STEM Signing Day, where they received bonuses valued at $750 for their academic achievements in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The students were selected based on their involvement in STEM programs throughout their middle and high school years. West Side Leadership Academy senior Rayven Anderson, who taught herself coding at age 10, expressed gratitude for the support she received from her school community. Antwan Jordan of West Side Leadership Academy, who plans to study mechanical engineering at Louisiana State University, emphasized that success is not about rankings but about personal growth. The students were encouraged by Gary Mayor Eddie Melton to remember their roots and contribute to the city’s development in the future.
An alligator measuring 10 feet caused a stir at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida, leading to the intervention of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The gator was found between the tires of a KC-135 aerial refueling aircraft, prompting the base to jokingly refer to it as their “newest toothy Airman.” The animal was later released into the Hillsborough River. This incident highlights the ongoing presence of alligators at MacDill, with Elvis, a 12-foot alligator, being the base’s most well-known resident.
Enphase Energy (ENPH) missed expectations for both revenue and earnings in its first-quarter report, according to Benzinga Pro. The company attributed the revenue decline to seasonality and softening U.S. demand. Despite strong growth in Europe, shares fell in after-hours trading as investors reacted negatively to the results and weak guidance for the second quarter. Enphase’s second-quarter revenue forecast is $290-$330 million, below analysts’ estimates, and it expects a gross margin of 42%-45%. The company generated $49.2 million in cash flow from operations and $41.8 million in free cash flow during the quarter.
Emily Blomberg, a Rochester, Minnesota native, has been appointed president of Regions Hospital and the Regions Hospital Foundation. Blomberg brings a wealth of local and national healthcare leadership experience to HealthPartners. Previously serving as chief operating officer for University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, she is committed to quality improvement, health equity, and colleague engagement.
The Salt Lake City School District has scrapped a plan to deliver a presentation to all students about Utah’s new transgender public restroom ban. The district initially planned to share the presentation with students while they were in class, but decided to roll back the plan due to a lack of clarity in the law and feedback from parents. The district will instead reach out to impacted families directly to make sure transgender and nonbinary children have the information they need to create a plan that meets their needs and the requirements of the law. The district’s initial plans also changed after a wave of parent feedback, including a protest organized by Emerson Elementary parent Kristen Kinjo.
Two prospective jurors who were dismissed from the criminal trial of Donald Trump have expressed concerns about the demeanor of the former president’s lead attorney, Todd Blanche. They described Blanche as being “folksy” and “disingenuous,” and accused him of attempting to “root out” potential jurors who might be sympathetic to Democrats. One of the prospective jurors, a man, said he was frustrated by Blanche’s questioning about his past social media posts, which he felt implied that he could not be fair and impartial. Both prospective jurors said they had hoped to serve on the jury and believed they could have been fair, but they were ultimately excused based on Blanche’s concerns.
